VHP evoking `national pride` for Ram Temple construction

New Delhi: With the verdict on the Ayodhya title suit expected later this month, the VHP on Saturday said it has already begun a nationwide movement to evoke "national pride" over the issue.

"The courts cannot decide on the religious sentiments of people. VHP, though not a party in the case, began a movement for national consensus on the Ram Temple issue on August 16. It would continue till November 16," VHP national spokesperson Surender Jain told reporters here.

He said a `janjagaran` (public awakening) rally would be held simultaneously at 10,000 places in the country to evoke support for the Ram temple cause.

Jain said the organisation would write to all MPs for their support in preparing and clearing a legislation that would pave way for the construction of the temple at the disputed site itself.

Claiming that the `Ram Janmbhoomi` movement was the biggest ever, the VHP leader said, "from 1984 till now three lakh villages were approached. So far, 12 crore people have been part of it. We collected over Rs 8 crore from people by just collecting over a rupee from each person for the temple construction purpose."

He denied that the issue was a political one and termed it as a "people`s movement".

To a question if the VHP would mobilise its workers to gather at the disputed site at Ayodhya ahead of the court verdict, Jain replied in the negative.

Asked if he foresaw any law and order problem depending on the decision, the VHP leader said, "Our aim is not to create any law and order problem. The UP government will deploy security mainly in Muslim-dominated areas".

The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court is likely to deliver the verdict on the contentious title suit soon.

The site where the 16th-century Babri Masjid stood has been a flash-point for communal violence. In the title case, the High Court will decide who owns the disputed land.

The UP government has cancelled leave of its policemen, deployed 168 companies (around 168,000 personnel) of its Provincial Armed Constabulary throughout the state and asked for more.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also recently conferred with his top ministers on how to handle the outcome of the verdict.